Are you using social media to connect to your audience? If not, you may be missing an important opportunity to raise awareness, make connections regularly, and turn your audience into fans. Here are some helpful tips for using social media effectively.
Give Them A Reason To Follow You
Your social media followers do not want to see your favorite cat memes…unless you happen to be Fearless Kitty. What bits of value can you add to their social media feed? Tell stories about experiences in your organization, recognize volunteers and staff members, give information about upcoming events, and always find ways to lead them back to your website.
Respond To Comments
Did you know that 83% of Facebook fans and 71% of Twitter followers expect a response the same day they make an inquiry? Don’t just post and walk away. Monitor comments and be sure to answer all messages sent through Facebook Messenger. These interactions are powerful for building relationships and fans.
Change Your Profile Photo & Banner
Your profile pictures and banners get the most views. Make a point of keeping them relevant and changing them from time to time. Do something fun for holidays or special observances. But whatever you choose, remember to keep it relevant.
Use Humor
Nonprofits that show a sense of humor and a bit of humanity tend to rank higher on social media. You may have an important and serious mission, but people like to know that there are real people behind it all. However, remember that the content you share should be consistent with your brand and voice. Make sure the humor fits your overall message. Cat memes work for Fearless Kitty, but probably wouldn’t fit for the River of Time Museum.
Encourage Tagging
On some of your posts, you can encourage your followers to tag someone they think would enjoy it. For example, if you are posting about your chocolate candy fundraiser, you could write, “Tag your favorite chocolate lover who needs this today!” It’s a great way to bring someone to your social media page who might not have landed there otherwise.
Don’t let social media scare you from reaching out to a broader audience. You don’t have to know all the little tricks and tips to be able to get your name out there and generate awareness. Start today.